Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 16th, 2023 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

jminifie, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary, Moyie, Bonnington, Grohman, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Rossland, South Okanagan, Ymir.

A variety of snow surfaces from old wind slabs to crusts will greet you when you head out. The best way to avoid potential problems and find powder snow is to seek out sheltered terrain features like the ones in these recent MINs here and here.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

A skier triggered size 1 wind slab avalanches was reported near Big White in this MIN report.

Snowpack Summary

Surface hoar is growing on the top of the snowpack in many areas. The snow is quite variable in the area consisting of either wind slabs or wind pressed snow, sun crusts on steep solar aspects, and even some better quality snow in sheltered areas.

The middle of the snowpack is well consolidated and stiff and contains persistent layers which have not produced avalanches in quite a long time.

The lower snowpack consists of weak, sugary crystals which have been slowly gaining strength.

Weather Summary

Thursday night

Increasing cloudiness through the night brining flurries and trace amounts of snow. Wind southwest at 10 km/h. Temperature -5˚C.

Friday

Cloudy with flurries bringing 5 cm of new snow. Wind from the southwest 5 - 10 km/h. Temperature -5˚C.

Saturday

Beginning cloudy and clearing in the late afternoon. Early flurries will bring 2 - 4 cm of snow. Wind from the southwest 10 km/h in the morning going to the north at 10 km/h in the afternoon. Temperatures -5˚C in the morning rising to -2˚C in the afternoon.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud. No precipitation. Variable light winds. Temperature -10˚C in the morning rising to -2˚C in the afternoon.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs vary in age across the region but can be sitting on weaker crystals so triggering is still possible. Tread with caution on stiff, drum-like snow as firm wind slabs can be unpredictable.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 17th, 2023 4:00PM